Like every small town, the seasons are ticked off by the events that go on during them. The Kiwatchee Planting Festival was one, as was the Strawberry festival in June and the Fourth of July. A newcomer to such traditions in Smallville, Kara listened to her friends talk about the latest one, the circus and carnival that almost surely would arrive on the day school let out. All of May had passed quietly, and now, as June was gracefully taking over, excitement over the circus was growing, and Smallville Middle School was buzzing with rumor and gossip in anticipation. Even the eighth grade girls, who should have been more interested in their year end Formal and graduation were more concerned about the new additions to the familiar circus.
"My cousin saw them in Tulsa last week and she said that The Flying Graysons were probably the most amazing act ever." Theresa giggled, leaning over her lunch to say confidentially. "She said Dick Grayson was gorgeous."
"Hmm." Kara sniffed, taking a bite of her meatloaf sandwich. "I don't believe they can really fly."
Theresa, Megan and Ginny all stared at their friend with surprise and then laughed. "They're acrobats, silly!" Ginny exclaimed, giving Kara a friendly litte push. "You are such a clown, Kara Kent."
"Oh, right." Kara nodded, smiling. She picked up her sandwich and started eating again, pausing to sip at her milk while her friends continued to gossip.
Megan, the leader of this little clique, smiled sympathetically at Kara. "Anyway, I know YOU'RE not interested in the circus when you have to decide on a date for the dance, Kara." Kara blinked at this news, and set her sandwich down. "Michael Fordman told my brother that he's going to ask you. And then Nick Benson…"The three girls sighed in chorus, and Kara laughed, waving her hand at them.
"I don't think I'm going to the dance. Aunt Martha might be going to Gotham City for a conference that weekend and she wants me to go." Kara shrugged, eyeing Ginny's cupcake dreamily. "Maybe I can stay with the Sullivans…"
"Or with me…" Clark's voice made Kara look up, and the three other girls nearly squeal in delight. Still sort of a celebrity amongst the younger kids for his short career as quarterback during Smallville's championship football season, Clark smiled at his cousins friends and handed Kara her history book. "You left this in the truck. I almost took it to school myself."
"Hi, Clark." Megan said, in her most mature voice. "You're not going to Gotham City next weekend?" She smiled in a very winning way, and Clark couldn't help but remember her older sister's complete lack of interest in him when they were in middle school.
"No." Clark replied, laughing to himself. "I have finals. But my staying home means Kara can stay home, so…" He ruffled Kara's hair. "You can go to the dance."
"Really!" The quartet squealed, and Clark winced. They erupted into excited discussion and plan making and sensing an opportunity for an exit, Clark made his way to the cafeteria door, but turned, hearing footsteps behind him. Kara had followed him, clutching her book. Her friends had gone back to their plans, whispering furiously amongst themselves before the bell.
"You were looking forward to going to Gotham City. Bruce's planetarium.." Kara said, lowering her voice. "What finals do you have?" She took his arm and walked out of the cafeteria with Clark, waving to her friends.
"Astronomy, of all things." Clark told her truthfully. "I didn't know the testing schedule when Mom told us about the trip. Anyway, it works for you, because now you can go with your friends."
"I guess." Kara nodded, kicking at the ground with her sneakered toe. "I don't know if I want to."
"Oh?" Clark asked, looking down into Kara's face. "I overheard that two guys are waiting to ask you."
"I know." Kara replied. "It's not that."
"Then what?" Clark asked. "I mean, I wasn't popular in school, but you are…"
Kara looked around, and once she was sure they were alone, she confessed. 'I don't know how to dance."
Clark nodded, folding his arms. "Well, I'll teach you."
Kara eyed him dubiously. "I've seen you dance, Clark. I haven't forgotten Mrs. Ross' wedding yet." She rolled her eyes. "But maybe Chloe…"
"Ask her later." Clark smiled. "She and Lois can probably get you ready."
"Okay." Kara smiled back. "I'd better go. And Clark…"
"What?" Clark asked, and Kara shook her head, frowning at him.
"Don't come here again. You embarrass me." She said loftily, hugging her book as she turned to go back into the cafeteria, shooting him just one amused grin as the door closed behind her.
"That's the last time I keep her out of trouble…" Clark said to himself, laughing as he made his way out of the middle school.
"OH MY GOD!" Megan clutched Kara's arm as they walked past the fairgrounds on their way home. "The circus is here early."
"Wow." Kara whispered, as the girls crossed the street to watch the activity through the fence. Tents were being put up, but what they could see best were the trailers the circus performers lived in while touring. The Flying Graysons were indeed part of this year's roster, because there they were, setting up their practice equipment. Tony Grayson, the father and leader of the troupe, was working shirtless, tying together a net, while his wife, Isabelle ran her daughter Tina through her tightrope routine on a low rope.
"I can't believe our luck." Megan whispered. "Theresa is going to be so jealous."
Megan craned her neck, searching. "Where's Dick Grayson, I wonder?"
"Behind you, Red." A male voice caused both girls to jump, and Dick laughed. He was tall, taller than Kara, and holding two bags of groceries. "Sorry. Spies aren't usually looking for me personally."
"I'm Megan, and this is Kara." Megan introduced herself and her friend boldly, once she recovered from the surprise. "We were just on our way home from school."
"I can see that." Dick nodded toward their book filled arms. "I'm just back from that little grocery store. I'm going to put these down and come back. Don't go anywhere." His eye lingered on Kara, who had said nothing, but he spoke to Megan. Quickly, Dick went through the gate and brought the bags to his mother, causing his older sister to wail after him as he ran back to where the girls waited. Tony looked up, smiling, and Isabelle just shook her head. Happened everywhere they went, now that Dick was 15, but what could you do? She picked up the bags and took them inside the trailer, prepared to find half eaten groceries. That also, always happened when Dick when on errands.
'Hi." Dick said, getting back to the fence. "So, Megan, and, what did you say your name was?" He looked at Kara, who blushed slightly.
"I didn't." She replied. "I'm Kara." They stared at each other briefly until Megan broke the tension with a delicate cough. "Are you staying long in Smallville, Dick?"
"Just for the run of the circus, a week or so, I think." He said, scratching his head. Kara loved that his eyes were blue, how his dark hair kept needing to be brushed away from his face and that he had a scattering of freckles across the bridge of his fine nose. "I'd love to see Smallville though."
Megan smiled brightly with triumph. "Well, I can show you. I've lived here my whole life. Kara only just moved here from California. Right, Kara?" Megan asked pointedly, and Kara nodded, defeated. Dick frowned slightly, but then smiled pleasantly at Megan, who continued to beam with pleasure.
"Well.." Dick looked over his shoulder. "Dad hasn't taken my scooter out off the trailer yet, but, okay." He looked over at Kara. "Are you going to come? I did see a pizza place over by the grocery, and I can always eat again."
Megan shook her head quickly, and Kara smiled, shrugging a little. "No, I can't. I have to get home. I have a puppy that I have to train. He's been digging big holes in the cornfield." Kara replied, noting her friends deep sigh of relief. "I'd better go."
'Only if you're sure, Kara." Megan said, grinning. "But I know you need to get back to Krypto…" She smiled up at Dick Grayson, and batted her eyelashes. "I just want to drop off my books at home, first." Kara waved and walked away, listening as Dick went to get his scooter and to drive Megan home. Her eyes stung with tears, but the sharp toot of a scooter horn made her look up. Dick was grinning at her through the fence.
"Hey, look, Kara, are you sure you don't want to come, too? I'd really like to…" He tossed a glance in Megan's direction, but she was checking her reflection in her pocket mirror and didn't see him talking to Kara. "Can I see you tonight? I know it sounds weird, but I really did want to hang out with you.."
"Okay." Kara smiled, and nodded. "I live at the Kent Farm, up the road and to the left. It's a yellow farm house."
"I'll find it. I never get lost." Dick nodded. "Better get ready for my tour." He winked, and zipped off on the scooter, pulling up short beside Megan, who squealed in anger over the dust he raised. But Kara didn't bother listening in to what they said to each other. Dick Grayson was coming to see her at the farm because he wanted to. And he'd be here for the dance, too. A sly grin curved Kara's mouth as she headed home. She'd need to learn how to dance, fast.